Two days later Aidan was again in the air. He flew swiftly, wanting to get the confrontation over with and the demon out of his life. He stopped when he reached the foothills of the surrounding peaks and hunted. He would need all his strength for the coming confrontation. One deer and a pint or so of blood later he was again in the air. It was early morning and he debated with himself for a while. He could go straight to the cave, but he wanted to have every possible advantage when he faced Asmodeus.

At sundown, he decided. I’ll go at sundown. But for now, somewhere to rest is in order. I can go stay with Thomas. I haven’t seen him for a while and, well… I can still lose this fight. I might as well see my friend once more if that’s the case. So he circled over the city, hunting up the landmarks the led to the poorer section of the town and the familiar roof of his friend’s house.

He landed in front of the door, taking a moment to inhale the scent of the many flowers that Thomas kept blooming in his tiny front garden. Somehow knowing that he could die so soon was making him appreciate little things like that all the more.

Thomas smiled when he opened the door and saw Aidan standing there. “Aidan! It’s been a while since I’ve laid eyes on you. What brings you to my door?”

“I’d like to say I’ve come just to see you, but I’m afraid I have selfish motives. I need somewhere to stay for the day. Do you mind if I stay here?”

“Of course not! Come in, make yourself at home.”

“Thanks.” Aidan stepped inside the little cottage. It was cozy as ever. In contrast to the neatness of the flowerbeds outside, the inside was an untidy jumble, but it wasn’t dirty, just comfortably cluttered.

“Go ahead and just go back to the spare room,” said Thomas. “You know where it is, and we can chat more once you’ve slept.”

Aidan smiled and made his way through the scattered mess to the back room. He had to clear off the cot there, but that only took a moment and soon he was sound asleep.

He woke precisely at sunset. He got up, got dressed, and made sure that all his daggers were in place before stepping out into the main room. Thomas was sitting in a comfortable chair staring into the fire that burned on the hearth. “Hello, my friend,” he said as Aidan entered the room. “Do you have a moment to let me know what’s going on now?”

Aidan sighed. Part of him just wanted to go, get this over with, but part of him still wanted to delay. “I guess I have a moment. I have to tell you though that it’s not exactly good news that brings me here.”

He told Thomas the whole story, about the torc, the demon, the way he’d been hounded over the years, the note, and the enchanted dagger he now carried. When he was done the old aerian said, “That’s quite a tale, my lad. I have to say I don’t like the thought of you facing a demon on your own like this. But I can see how it’s something you just have to do. I’d offer to go with you, but these old bones aren’t up to it these days.”

Aidan smiled. “I appreciate it. But I have to do this alone. Flame wanted to come, and so did several of my friends from the Clan, but I have to do this. The demon wants the torc from me. He can’t kill me directly, but he could kill anybody else I brought along. I just have to go alone.”

“Well, good luck then. If anybody can do it, you can. You’re tougher than most, that’s for sure. But I shouldn’t be keeping you back.” Thomas got to his feet. “You just promise that when you win you’ll stop back by so that I can congratulate you.”

“I’ll do that,” said Aidan.

And then it was time, no more putting it off. He took to the sky one last time, the note with its directions in hand. And all too soon he was landing in front of a dark cavern mouth. He checked all his daggers one last time, took a deep breath even though he didn’t need to, and stepped inside.

As he did he was suddenly surrounded by a swirling blur of colors. For a moment he was totally disoriented and then he recognized it. A portal spell! I’m being transported somewhere else! But the swirling nothingness went on and on and Aidan began to fear he wasn’t going anywhere, that he had instead been trapped between worlds. And then he heard the voice.

“Hello Aidan. Wondering where you are? Well, you’re on your way elsewhere, but I’ve paused the journey so I can let you know what’s going on. That’s right, this is your old friend Asmodeus. And you may see some other old friends soon because I’m sending you back to Earth. Now here’s the deal. I want that torc. You, no doubt, want to go back to Mysteria. But you can’t get what you want until I get what I want. Now I know there are always portals from Earth to Mysteria, if you know where to look. And I don’t doubt you’ll find them. In fact they’ll be drawn to you. But I’ve put a little spell on that lovely collar of yours. It can’t go through portals. Try it if you like. You’ll just walk through it like it wasn’t even there. But take the collar off and then, ah! Then you can pass through and go home. Simple. All you have to do is remove the collar and all your worries will be over.

“Knowing you it will probably be a while before you come to your senses, but I have all the time in the world. So have fun, my little friend, and farewell for now.”